Environmental and cultural considerations such as Phytophthora dieback, flora, fauna and heritage (both Aboriginal and European) will be assessed in detail, with the trails designed to minimise impacts on these important values.
Trails will be built using best practice construction techniques to ensure the highest quality, maximum sustainability, minimal maintenance and maximum fun!
TOURISM AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS
In April 2019, a significant step in realising Collie’s potential as a premier trail town was taken, with the announcement of the Collie Adventure Trails initiative, which will see $10 million being invested in mountain bike and hiking trails for the area.
A key outcome of this initiative is to grow and diversify Collie’s economy, create jobs across a range of industries by attracting new visitors and encouraging new businesses, and maintain a vibrant community.
It is anticipated that the trails will be used by:
- Local residents,
- Visitors to the region seeking nature-based and adventure tourism opportunities and,
- State, national and international mountain bike riders.
The construction of the trails and an ‘adventure hub’ in Collie is expected to create up to 160 jobs over three years. It is estimated that 33 jobs will be created in the tourism sector to cater to the 12,000 additional visitors to the area each year. Financial modelling predicts that these visitors will inject $3.8 million per year into Collie, which will generate $6.9 million per year in the wider community.
This increased visitation will build on the already rising number of people travelling to Wellington National Park to enjoy recently upgraded campground facilities, toilets, barbecue shelters, roads, paths and day-use areas, as well as ‘glamping’ opportunities. These facilities are the result of a $5.2 million investment in the Collie–Wellington area since 2013–14. A further $6.8 million is earmarked to improve tourist roads in the area and establish Lake Kepwari east of Collie as a water-based recreation destination.